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The Administration for Children and Families released a final rule in the Federal Register, Supporting the Head Start Workforce and Consistent Quality Programming. The rule updates the Head Start Program Performance Standards (the Performance Standards) to respond to concerns affecting the sustainability of Head Start programs. Changes to the standards increase wages and benefits for Head Start educators and other staff, better integrate mental health supports across program services, strengthen processes to support child health and safety, and enhance family engagement services. They also modernize the process programs use to identify and meet community needs.
These updated Performance Standards provide clear federal requirements for:
- Wages and benefits to support the Head Start workforce
- Better integration of mental health across all aspects of Head Start programming
- Quality improvement and clarity of requirements in other service areas
Implementation Updates
Check out this page for the latest information and resources to support the implementation process.
11/7/2024: ACF-OHS-IM-24-06 Reporting Child Health and Safety Incidents
This Information Memorandum clarifies the requirements of 45 CFR §1302.102(d)(1)(ii) for reporting significant incidents regarding the health and safety of children in Head Start programs.
10/31/2024: ACF-OHS-PI-24-06 Final Rule on Supporting the Head Start Workforce and Consistent Quality Programming – Technical Updates
This Program Instruction notes a few technical updates to ACF-OHS-PI-24-05, which summarizes the final rule and outlines changes to the Performance Standards. These technical updates are minor corrections to implementation dates.
10/31/2024: Federal Register Notice Announcement and Correction
Read technical updates that clarify implementation dates to the final rule published Aug. 21, 2024.
10/21/2024: ACF-OHS-IM-24-04 Facilities Guidance
This Information Memorandum helps recipients understand the Head Start application and funding process for facilities activities, based on the Head Start Program Performance Standards updated on Aug. 21, 2024.
10/16/2024: Wages and Pay Parity Tip Sheet
Use this tip sheet to help Head Start programs understand and implement updates to the wages and pay parity standards at Personnel policies, 45 CFR §1302.90.
10/8/2024: Director Garvin Highlights Child Health and Safety Changes
In this video, Director Garvin summarizes important changes in the Head Start Program Performance Standards with respect to child health and safety. These updates center on key areas, such as:
- Increasing a program’s capacity to promote child health and safety
- Clarifying important changes to requirements in the Standards of Conduct
- Reporting incidents to OHS
10/1/2024: Director Garvin Announces Updates to the Performance Standards
In this short video, Director Khari M. Garvin discusses updates to the Performance Standards that respond to concerns affecting the sustainability of Head Start programs.
9/30/2024: Workforce Policies in the Updated Head Start Program Performance Standards
Watch this webinar for a deep dive into the workforce standards that increase wages and benefits for Head Start educators and other staff. OHS also offers tips for getting started on implementation in your program.
9/27/2024: Detailed Summary of Changes
These summaries provide more detail about the changes to the Performance Standards across key topics that respond to concerns affecting the sustainability of Head Start programs.
8/28/2024: Updates to the Performance Standards: Nurturing the Promise
In this overview webinar, OHS takes a deeper dive into the updated Performance Standards and offers resources and implementation strategies.
8/27/2024: Compliance Timeline
Review the timeline for compliance with updated Head Start Program Performance Standards requirements.
8/21/2024: Tracked Changes Version of the Standards
Learn where the changes have been made to the Performance Standards.
8/21/2024: ACF-OHS-PI-24-05 Supporting the Head Start Workforce and Consistent Quality Programming
This Program Instruction summarizes the final rule and outlines changes to the Performance Standards in three main areas: workforce supports, mental health, and other quality improvements.
8/21/2024: Preamble – Discussion of Comments
This document shares insights on public comments received through the notice of proposed rulemaking and how they were addressed by the final rule.
8/21/2024: Federal Register Notice
Read the final rule in the Federal Register.
8/19/2024: Supporting the Head Start Workforce and Consistent Quality Programming
The announcement webinar highlights the updated Performance Standards and how the Head Start community’s input was instrumental in the changes. OHS leadership and staff discuss the goals to increase staff wages and benefits, integrate mental health across services, and support quality improvement.
8/16/2024: Press Release
Read and share this press release with Head Start stakeholders to understand the final rule.
Questions about the updated Performance Standards?
We've created a dedicated email address for inquiries and clarifications related to the updated Performance Standards. Send your questions to OHS_policy@acf.hhs.gov.
Note: This resource inbox is designed to provide the OHS team with insights into recipient needs and to help inform upcoming programming. While we may be able to directly answer some individual inquiries, others will be used to guide future communications and training and technical assistance. Your input is valuable in shaping our support for the Head Start community.
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Last Updated: November 11, 2024